Diet Programs And Meals - The Carbohydrate Addicts Diet by Levi Reiss

The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet was created by Doctors Richard and Rachel Heller. As its name may suggest, an objective of this diet is reducing dieters' dependence on carbohydrates, or in less technical terms, sugars. The body transforms carbohydrates into glycogens and converts the excess into fatty tissue. After a meal containing carbohydrates the blood sugar level increases and insulin acts to bring it down, making the individual feel hungry. By diminishing insulin secretion and so absorbing less carbohydrates the body burns more fat. This diet has two phases, a base phase and a stabilization phase. The first phase lasts 14 days but may be extended for additional weight loss. The second phase also tries to lower your insulin level. It lets you adapt to your new lifestyle. Here are some of the principles.

Phase 1. Reward yourself with a special meal once a day. This meal may be breakfast, lunch, or supper. It's a large green salad and a plate divided into three equal parts: protein-rich food such as meat, poultry, fish, cheese, or tofu; vegetables (starchy vegetables such as potatoes are excluded); and carbohydrate-rich food including potato chips, cookies, fruit or fruit juice, and sweets. Finish your meal in less than an hour. Your other meals should consist of half protein-rich foods and half fiber-rich vegetables. Weigh yourself once a day. Phase 2 is a continuation of phase 1 and adds one of several options including physical activity, glutamate reduction, stress control, caffeine reduction and others. The list is long and fairly complicated.

The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet has the advantage of reducing glucide dependency in some individuals. The initial phase is easy to follow. A disadvantage is that the second phase is not really a stabilization phase. Constipation may be a problem.

Here are two sample menus:

Menu 1

Breakfast: Soy flour muffins. Tea.

Lunch: Spinach and mushroom salad. Broccoli. Grilled sirloin steak. Carbonated water.

Supper: Asparagus. Pork chop. Cauliflower. Gingerbread. Grapes.

Menu 2

Breakfast: Cheese omelet. Lean bacon. Coffee.

Lunch: Romaine salad sprinkled with mozzarella cheese. Tofu sauteed with mushrooms. Green beans. Low-calorie carbonated drink.

Supper: Tomato and cucumber salad. Green beans. Grilled lamb chops. Potatoes. A hot peach.

Some information in this article comes from a fascinating new book, La Bible des Regimes, written by Jenny de Jonquieres and published by Amerik Media. Her book describes over 80 diets and weight reduction programs. Each diet is presented with 5 menu plans, a detailed discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, and lots more. Presently la Bible des Regimes is available only in French.